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Stay updated with the biggest headlines for Thursday, 18 December—politics, crime, sports, and more—all summarized for quick reading. Get instant access to breaking news, major developments, and trending stories in just one click. Perfect for busy readers who want news on the go.
Top news of the day
Samajwadi Party (SP) senior leader and former Minister Mohammad Azam Khan has been acquitted in an inflammatory speech case. The special MP-MLA court (Magistrate Trial) in Rampur acquitted Azam Khan on Friday. This is a big relief for Azam Khan.
However, Azam Khan will continue to remain in jail as he is serving a seven-year term in a separate case related to his son Abdullah Azam’s two PAN card matter.
The Winter Session of Parliament is underway, and on Thursday, the Lok Sabha witnessed massive uproar when the government passed the ‘Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Rural) (VB-G RAM G) Bill, 2025’. Opposition MPs strongly protested against it, accusing the government of insulting Mahatma Gandhi.
The opposition claims that the new law weakens the original form of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA). The Congress and other opposition parties alleged that the government is deliberately removing Mahatma Gandhi's name from the rural employment scheme, which has been a symbol of socio-economic transformation in rural India.
Today is the second day of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Oman. During this visit, a comprehensive economic partnership agreement between India and Oman is expected to be signed. Prime Minister Modi said that this agreement will give new confidence, energy, and direction to the partnership between the two countries in the 21st century. He described it as a significant step for bilateral relations.
Addressing the Indian community in Muscat, the capital of Oman, Prime Minister Modi emphasized the cultural characteristics of Indians. He said, “We Indians respect diversity. India's diversity is the greatest strength of our culture. Every season, every festival, and every tradition adds new colors to our lives.” He said that wherever Indians go, they seamlessly integrate with the local culture and customs.
The Allahabad High Court (Single Judge) on Wednesday observed that while the concept of live-in relationship is not "illegal". Though it may not be acceptable to all, it cannot be said that such a relationship is "illegal" or that living together without the sanctity of marriage is a crime.
The CourtIt further stated that the right to life of an individual is of "paramount importance," irrespective of whether a couple is married or living together without the sanctity of marriage.
'Avatar: Fire and Ash' is based on the conflict between humans and the world of Pandora. This time, the story is centered in the Fire and Ash region, an environment of volcanoes, fire, and ash. Initially, this place seems new and interesting, but as the film progresses, the story follows old and predictable paths. The excitement gradually diminishes in several scenes.
The film's screenplay is quite long, and many scenes don't contribute significantly to the story. The pacing is slow in some places, while in others it suddenly accelerates. If the unnecessary scenes were removed, the film could have been more engaging. The plot lacks new ideas, and some important scenes end too quickly.
US President Donald Trump has once again made headlines with his statements. He said that his tariff policy not only boosted America's economic power but also made it a crucial weapon for exerting global pressure. Trump said that "tariffs" are his favorite word and have become the hallmark of his politics.
Addressing the nation, Trump claimed that he ended eight wars in just ten months. He also mentioned his achievements in preventing the nuclear threat associated with Iran and ending the conflict in Gaza. Trump said that during this period, the release of hostages was also ensured, whether they were alive or dead.
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has issued an advisory about dense fog conditions across Northern India and warned passengers about low visibility resulting in possible flight delays at various airports.
The AAI took to social media platform X and wrote, "Persistent fog is affecting several airports across Northern India, resulting in low visibility and possible flight delays."
Indian stock markets opened lower on Thursday. The BSE Sensex fell 126.03 points, or 0.15%, to 84,433.62, and the NSE Nifty slipped 33.55 points, or 0.13%, to 25,785. The Bank Nifty opened 106 points lower at 58,820. The Midcap index was also trading 77 points lower at 59,312.
In early trade, Infosys, Wipro, HCL Technologies, Tata Consultancy Services, and Shriram Finance were among the top gainers in the Nifty 50. Meanwhile, Sun Pharma, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, Bajaj Auto, M&M, and Eicher Motors shares were trading in the red. Bharti Airtel, Axis Bank, State Bank of India, and Reliance Industries were the major movers in the Sensex.
As air pollution continues to choke Delhi-NCR and several other parts of the country, the issue will be taken up for discussion in both Houses of Parliament today. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav will respond to questions, objections, and suggestions raised by Members of Parliament in the Lok Sabha at 5 PM.
The opposition has been demanding a dedicated discussion on air pollution since the start of the winter session of Parliament. Several MPs have questioned the government’s preparedness and long-term strategy to tackle the worsening air quality.
Renowned sculptor and creator of the Statue of Unity, Ram Vanji Sutar, passed away at the age of 100. He breathed his last at his residence in Noida late Wednesday night. Sutar, who had been battling age-related ailments for some time, passed away peacefully. His son, Anil Sutar, shared the news with the media on Thursday.
Ram Sutar was considered one of India's most distinguished sculptors. In his career spanning over six decades, he created numerous iconic sculptures of figures such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Swami Vivekananda, and Chhatrapati Shivaji. His sculptures of Mahatma Gandhi in a meditative pose and Chhatrapati Shivaji on horseback, both located in the Parliament complex, are among his masterpieces.
After being unsold at the IPL 2026 auction, New Zealand's star batsman Devon Conway has given a fitting reply to his critics with his performance. Conway had set a base price of ₹2 crore in the auction held on December 16, but surprisingly, no franchise bid for him. Just two days later, on December 18, he proved his class by scoring a magnificent century in Test cricket.
In the first innings of the third Test against West Indies, Devon Conway played a superb innings, scoring a century. He completed his century in 149 balls, hitting 17 boundaries in the process. Notably, all his boundaries were fours. This is Conway's sixth Test century and his first against West Indies.
December's chill is now showing its full force across the country. Snowfall and biting cold are intensifying in the hilly regions, while dense fog and cold waves are affecting daily life in the plains of North India. The Meteorological Department has issued alerts for several states, warning of a further drop in temperatures in the coming days.
According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), an active Western Disturbance is located over northern Pakistan and adjoining Jammu and Kashmir. Along with this, the subtropical westerly jet stream is also active over North India. Wind speeds have reached up to 110 knots at an altitude of approximately 12.6 kilometers, leading to rapid changes in weather patterns and creating conditions for cold, fog, and snowfall.
Delhi is currently shrouded in a thick blanket of toxic smog. With air quality reaching critical levels, people are struggling to breathe. In light of the situation, the Delhi government and administration have intensified their efforts to curb pollution. From today, only BS-6 compliant vehicles are allowed entry into the capital, and action against vehicles without a valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate has been stepped up.
Following the announcement that fuel would not be dispensed without a PUC certificate, long queues formed at petrol pumps from Wednesday morning. People rushed to get their vehicles' pollution checks done to comply with the new rules. However, the testing process was hampered at several petrol pumps due to server issues with the PUC machines. Many people returned disappointed after waiting for hours. Additional police forces had to be deployed at petrol pumps to control the situation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold comprehensive bilateral talks with Oman's Sultan Haitham bin Tariq on Thursday. These discussions will review the entire spectrum of India-Oman relations. This meeting is considered crucial in further strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The discussions between Prime Minister Modi and Sultan Haitham will cover key areas such as trade and investment, energy cooperation, defense and security, technology, agriculture, and cultural exchange. In addition, the two leaders will also share their views on regional and global issues.
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